Red Level Tigers - Program 23


Red Level Sports
Baseball / Softball Basketball Football Track


Other Schools
Andalusia Florala Opp Pleasant Home Red Level Straughn

2A Region 1
Bayside Ac Excel Flomaton Georgiana Keith Leroy Red Level S. Choctaw	0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

2007 Season Outlook

Coach - Tim Grimes - 2nd year - 2nd stint as Head Coach at Red Level -

2006 Record / Results - 8-4 would be a great start for any head coach, but with tough losses against Bayside, Leroy, and twice to Luverne Coach Grimes and the Tiger players want to improve. Scoring ratio was positive during the 2006, meaning they lost several close games.

W	L	Pct	PF	PA
8	4	.666	381	179

Pre-season glance - Last season the Tigers were driven back into the playoffs with Coach Grimes at the wheel. Loaded with 18 seniors and speed in the backfield - Red Level dominated teams and seemed to explode at will. Tiger fans filled the stands with excitement and painted up themselves into a frenzy for Friday nights in Red Level or on the road.

Will the excitement continue along with the touch - physical play? The Tigers were considered to be a weaker team going into their spring games at the Dothan jamboree, but after they shocked the crowd by going ahead and holding 6A Dothan to a TD - eyes were opened.

The Tigers have a solid line up front and look to compete again for the 2A Region 1 title - just don't ask Coach Grimes who down plays Red Level's chances of winning a game. Come on Coach - let the "Cat" - or should we say "Tigers" out of the bag...

Offense - Nothing has changed a lot on the offensive front from 2006, except 18 graduating seniors. The Coaches are quick to point out though that many of those played in supporting rolls. Old fashioned fans of football adore Red Level's style of play - Line'em up and take it to'em. Coach Grimes enjoys teaching his linemen the core fundamentals of how to play - "That's were games are won, upfront."

Sounds like a repeat from last season and will be in the preview every year. Red Level understands where the importance of the game is - upfront. While many teams have the one or two marquee players - Red Level seems to shine up from where the line is drawn. Even as Grimes works on the little things with his big men - picking up and pointing feet in the right direction for pulling guards.

With that said of the "hosses" up front - you do have to put some points on the board to win and Red Level will have arguable the fasted 2A backfield in the state. Although Ray Knight and Princeton Ryce will be missed - junior Terrance Marshall is a threat to score even on the sideline. Supporting Marshall will be senior quarterback Blake Pate - who has been clocked at 4.41 during summer combines and could see time at running back as well.

This Red Level team is loaded and should provide a balance attack with size and speed.

Defense - The Tigers have reloaded up front from the 2006 season to '07. The defense may provide speed in the secondary and challenge teams to throw into man-on-man - but the work around is to use the distinct speed advantage to force the opposition to run outside as the line closes the gaps and make quick stops.

Several new players could join the Tigers who have 27 freshmen that will be ready to build for the future - and could see some playing time...

Red Level outscored teams in most games last season and lost on offensive turnovers through some decision making choices that Coach Grimes takes on himself. The Defense should not be an issue for the 2007 season and will help lead the way for the offense to put points on the board.

Outlook -

Red Level looked extremely well during their spring games, but even better during fall practice. Their strength could be size up front and second round depth with the ability to rest their offensive and defensive front line. Tony Ingram and Ken Valrie are two very capable assistants and are led by Tim Grimes willingness to change schemes to fit the current strengths and talents of his players.

The Tigers were four plays from being undefeated in 2006, and two plays from a different outcome in Luverne. Red Level has the talent to reach Birmingham and with region 3 as the opponent in post season - may have the easier path in getting there.

2007 Schedule

Projected Losses - .Leroy (state champ advantage - although home field for Red Level)

Will win - Keith, Southern Choctaw, McKenzie, Straughn
Must win - Georgiana, Bayside Academy,

Flomaton - Hardest place to play in Region 1? - Could be... will take mistake free ball to defeat much improved Hurricanes coached by Doug Vickery - Key early game that could decide second team in region
Luverne - Tigers lost two heart breakers to the Tigers - should perform better this season and will only face them once.
Excel - Came on strong - unexpected team that could compete for region playoff spot

Region Projections

Leroy (9-1)
Red Level (9-1)
Flomaton (7-3)
Excel (6-4)